COPD, Asthma, Pneumonia

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COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-lasting lung disease where the small airways in the lungs are damaged making it harder for air to get in and out

• Caused by smoking
• Progressive disease leading to use of oxygen
• Common symptoms: include shortness of breath, wheezing, and chronic cough.
• No cure for COPD, but to stop smoking, medications, and therapy

COPD is the third most common cause of death in the United States.

-COPD occurs most often in older adults.

-Past or present smoker

-More prevalent elderly population, greater than 65 years old

-Genetic predispositions

Treatments

-While there is no cure for COPD, treatment is available to manage the symptoms that are caused by COPD and improve quality of life

-Medications such as: Inhalers

-Pulmonary rehabilitation

-Physical activity training

-Oxygen treatment

-Acupuncture

What is a COPD Flare-Up?

COPD patients often dismiss COPD flare-ups as “part of the disease” and do their best to get through them. Here are some examples of COPD flare-ups:

• Feeling out of breath
• Coughing excessively
• Using your rescue inhaler more often than normal
• Needing emergency care
• Feeling fatigued for more than a day
• Seeing a change in amount, color, or thickness of mucus
• Frequent respiratory infections

Asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory response causing constriction of the airway.

• Causes/triggers–Allergens: pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, air pollutants/irritants, such as smoke
• Symptoms: shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and cough

Asthma Risk Factors
–Blood relative with asthma
–Having another allergic condition
–Being overweight
–Smoker, exposure to second hand smoke
–Exposure to exhaust fumes, or other air pollutants

Pneumonia

Pneumonia infection or inflammation of the lungs. The air sacs fill with pus and other liquid, blocking oxygen from reaching the bloodstream.

How is Pneumonia a public health issue?

-Influenza is a common cause of pneumonia, especially among younger children, the elderly, pregnant women, or those with certain chronic health conditions or who live in a nursing home.

-Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that is one of the most severe illnesses of the winter season.

Symptoms: Headache, fever, chills, cough with phlegm, pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, generalized weakness

-Influenza is spread easily from person to person, usually when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Pneumonia Vaccine is the best prevention

Useful links

COPD Facts | NIH

Asthma Facts | NIH

Pneumonia Facts | NIH

Asthma Action Plan | NIH
FLARE-UP QUIZ | Listen to Your Lungs
7 Foods for Eating Well With a Chronic Lung Condition